New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has ruled that Christian James Michel, a British arms consultant detained in India for six years without trial, must be freed on bail. Michel is accused of bribing Indian officials to secure a multimillion-dollar helicopter contract for British-Italian defence firm AgustaWestland. He denies the charges.
Extradited from the UAE in 2018, Michel has been in custody ever since. The court described his prolonged detention as “exceptional” and noted that his time in pre-trial custody was “alarmingly close” to the maximum sentence of seven years for money laundering, one of the charges he faces.
The AgustaWestland case is among several corruption scandals linked to India’s former ruling Congress party. The deal for 12 AW-101 helicopters was signed in 2010 for $753 million (£455m) but was scrapped in 2014 after allegations of bribery surfaced. Italian prosecutors alleged kickbacks worth nearly $67.6 million were paid to Indian officials.
Investigations into Michel by India’s financial crime and domestic crime agencies remain incomplete, with trials yet to begin. Following the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to give him bail in another case, the Delhi High Court has now allowed his release. However, Michel remains in India as his passport has been seized.
The former chiefs of AgustaWestland’s parent company, Finmeccanica, were acquitted of fraud and corruption charges in Italy in 2018. Indian authorities, however, maintain that the acquittals have no bearing on Michel’s case.
MOST READ | Trump delivers fiery address to congress, claims historic achievements
